Things You Probably Didnt Know About the Bill of Rights

And how to remember themThings You Probably Didnt Know About the Bill of RightsTrue or False?The protections set forth in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights (and other amendments) apply ONLY to US citizens.

FALSE Constitutional protections apply to EVERYONE, citizen or noncitizen (includes illegal immigrants). Protections do not extend in cases where the Constitution explicitly say other wise.Ex: 15th Amendment The right of citizens to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the US or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.Noncitizens are denied some privileges but are still guaranteed all freedoms.

1st AmendmentFreedoms ofSpeech (point to mouth)Religion (point up)Press (finger as pen)Assembly (fingers as people)Petition/protest (point at govt)

RAPPSDid you knowIf a person were to print something that urged people to disobey laws, he/she may get in trouble.If a person says something that is not true, it could be slander. The Bill of Rights does not protect anyone from being sued for slander.There are limits to the right to assemble.Cannot block traffic, sidewalks, doors cannot interfere with the rights of other citizens2nd AmendmentRight to bear armsThumb and index finger as gun

Did you knowNot everyone has the right to have and use firearms. States may make rules about the use of guns within their borders.

Congress also passed laws about guns. Federal law does not allow the sale of rifles or shotguns to people under 18. If a person owns a machine gun, it has to be registered with the Treasury Department.3rd AmendmentNo forced housing of soldiersGoldilocks and 3 bears (Goldilocks forced her stay)

Did you knowThe 3rd Amendment is the least contested amendment and has never been used as primary basis of a Supreme Court decision.4th AmendmentGuards against unreasonable searches and seizures.Curl your 4 fingers and knock on a door with your knuckles (Police!)Searching 4 something

Did you knowFrisking (pat searching) a suspect to remove a gun may be permitted. This is not considered an unreasonable search.

A police officer can search your car (anything that is visible). If they have reasonable suspicion that something is wrong (red eyes, slurred speech, shaky hands, funny smells), they can search your glove compartment, center console, etc.

5th AmendmentRight to grand jury, freedom from double jeopardy, freedom from self-incrimination, right to due process of law, and eminent domain

Grand juryDouble jeopardySelf-incriminationDue processEminent domainDid you knowIf a jury cannot decide whether or not a person is guilty of a crime (mistrial), then the person can be tried again for the same crime. Double jeopardy only protects people acquitted (decided innocent) of a crime.

Crimes such as kidnapping are against both state and federal laws. It is possible for an accused person to be tried for the state crime in a state court and the federal crime in a federal court.6th AmendmentRight toSpeedy, public trialJuryInformed of chargesConfront witnessesCompel witnesses to appear in courtCounsel SpeedySixDid you knowThe government cannot hold you without telling you what you are charged with AND providing evidence.Habeas corpus have the bodyWrit of habeas corpus a written document produced by the government to explain why the person is being held and with what evidence.7th AmendmentRight to a jury in a federal civil case that concerns more than $20Civil Seven

Did you knowBefore 1688, English judges were servants under the King of England. These judges were often biased towards the King, and because of this, their rulings were not always fair. The authors of the Bill of Rights did not want an unfair/biased legal system, therefore a jury is allowed for civil cases that concern more than $20.8th AmendmentNo excessive bail or cruel, unusual punishments8 (a person) behind bars

Did you knowFor the general purposes, any particular punishment that inflicts an extraordinary amount of pain and can only be viewed as a form of torture will be deemed as cruel and unusual. In terms of bail or fines, any amount that would essentially render the individual incapable of supporting him/herself or their immediate family or function in society is deemed as excessive.

9th AmendmentProtects individual freedoms not explicitly outlined in Constitution.9 P (people)

Did you knowThe writers of the Constitution believed that people have rights just because they are human. They wanted to make it clear that all their rights that were not mentioned in the Constitution were still protected. Therefore, the 9th Amendment is like insurance to protect our rights that are not listed.10th AmendmentPowers that are not given to the federal govt in the Constitution are reserved for the states and the people.Last chair in the restaurant is reserved (last amendment in the BOR)

Did you knowThe 10th Amendment was added because many people feared the new national government when the Constitution was written. Would it try to use powers it had not been given? Certain powers were to be kept by the states and the people, if not outlined in the Constitution for the federal govt.